Small businesses propelled by ORT JET’s Eureka competition
HOUGHTON – The six-month long process of the ORT JET Eureka Launch Your Business competition facilitated by the Houghton based organisation culminated in an awards event at the Sandton Shul hall.
Out of 78 entries, there were 11 finalists and four prize winners. Paul Bacher, ORT JET CEO said they were all winners when the top four were announced. “It has been great to be on the journey with the winners,” he said.
Steven Braudo, deputy CEO of Liberty said they were proud sponsors of the Eureka competition. “The quality of the Eureka finalists, their growth and development throughout the competition process which included training and mentorship by captains of industry showed their vision, passion, flexibility, self belief and not least, chutzpah,” he said.
In addition to the winners, the Ort Jet Sheldon Cohen/Sasfin Mentor of the Year was awarded to Coral Wilder and the ORT JET Business of the year award went to Vernon Zwiers.
Clive Butkow, ORT SA national executive member and emcee for the evening closed by saying that ORT JET’s unique mentorship programme which now numbers some 600 volunteer mentors, was thriving.
The prize winners were:
• First prize: Gladi8, owned by Ryan Canin, Richard Miller, Adam Pananowitz and Gian Luca Cantarin, an innovative web-based platform which allows businesses to drive consumer behaviour.
• Second prize: Stockshop, owned by Lawrence Joffe and Annabel Dallamore, an online platform that acts as a personal assistant for investing in the stock market.
• Third prize: Fabcab, owned by Mark Kruger and Russell Katzoff supplies a dispenser unit which houses a variety of household cleaning products which is filled weekly by the company.
• Fourth prize: Student Work SA owned by Amanda and Paul Rabinowitz is aimed at school leavers and students to assist them with finding quality part-time employment.
